“`html
Cillian Murphy, after portraying Tommy Shelby for over a decade, has been reflecting on his transformative role as the violent patriarch of the Peaky Blinders.
Speaking with BBC News, the acclaimed Irish actor described playing the iconic character for a significant portion of his life as both a “gift and privilege.”
Despite the character’s intensity, Murphy playfully noted the stark contrast between himself and Shelby, quipping that he is not a “psychopathic gangster.”
A highly anticipated Peaky Blinders film, set to be released by Netflix, is on the horizon, though Murphy remains tight-lipped about its plot details.
The actor’s remarks coincide with the promotion of his new film, “Steve,” which centers on his character’s efforts to reform a 1990s boys’ school while grappling with his own mental health struggles.
Teasing the upcoming Peaky Blinders film, penned by the show’s creator Steven Knight, Murphy stated, “I think it’s better to keep it under wraps, keep it a surprise.”
Since 2013, audiences have witnessed Murphy’s compelling portrayal of Shelby, leading the organized crime gang with both ruthlessness and vulnerability across six seasons.
The actor emphasized the “defining” nature of the extended period he has spent embodying Shelby.
“To grow older with a character, you don’t really get to do that, and that is the joy of long-form television,” he explained.
“We never anticipated that the TV show would have that impact, would be so adored and have that longevity. It is defining.”
Since the series’ conclusion in 2022, Murphy has starred in “Small Things Like These” and garnered critical acclaim, including an Oscar, for his leading role in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.”
Reflecting on the key to Peaky Blinders’ success, Murphy attributed it to a certain “magic.” “Mostly the writing, I think, but also it was a moment in time.”
He added, “The beauty of that show is that I have gone off and done other things in the meantime and played lots of other characters.”
Among these characters is Steve, the headteacher in his new film who battles the emotions and behaviour of the teenage boys living there as well as his own personal demons.
The new film chronicles a single day at the school where what can go wrong, does go wrong.
A documentary crew with questionable morals is filming, a local MP is visiting and both Steve (played by Murphy) and Shy (Jay Lycurgo), one of the pupils, receive devastating news.
Both characters are pushed to the brink, taking the audience on an emotional and often heartbreaking journey.
Murphy described the film as a love letter to teachers, as they are “custodians of next generation.”
The similarities between Shy and Steve are apparent throughout – even if they are at different stages of life.
“It’s a flip-side of a coin what these characters are experiencing and they just can’t reach each other,” Murphy explained.
The film’s themes touch on education in challenging circumstances, men’s mental health and adolescent violence.
Even though it is set 30 years ago, “It is just demonstrating that this stuff is always there,” he added
“The conversations are kind of manifold and different,” Murphy said of the reaction to the film so far. “Everyone sees it through the prism of their own life experience”.
Steve was based on the 2023 novella, Shy, written by Max Porter. The author has adapted the story for the screen.
He and Murphy previously worked together on the play, Grief Is the Thing with Feathers, also based on an original book by Porter.
As for Lycurgo, he will also appear in the upcoming Peaky Blinders film, but followed Murphy’s lead in keeping the details secret.
Steve is in cinemas now and will be released on Netflix next month.
A new film looks at the life of John Davidson after he found fame in a 1989 documentary
Drama manager recalls how one of the most memorable scenes in TV history was filmed at Lyme Park.
Blur are riding on the crest of the 1995 Britpop wave when they decide to head off on a seaside tour.
Norma, a movie based on a viral true story from TikTok, has become a nationwide obsession.
For writer Lee Hall, the film has become a cultural phenomenon that still resonates 25 years on.
“`